Vaughan says ‘intrepid’ Flintoff should play ‘love of life’ cricket again

London: Former England Test captain Michael Vaughan has said Andrew Flintoff should get back to playing cricket after winning his debut boxing bout against Richard Dawson, and added the all rounder deserved lots of praise for his courage to fight a heavyweight boxer.

Vaughan, who got the boot from the dance show on Sunday believes Flintoff’s transformation from beer-drinking cricket joker to super-fit fighter shows he’s ready to return to Lord’s.

Ashes hero Flintoff beat US heavyweight Dawson at Manchester’s MEN Arena on Friday, despite being almost two stone lighter than his opponent.

Vaughan praised Freddie’s bravery for stepping into the ring and blasted boxing professionals who had branded the match a circus.

“He had the guts to walk out in front of 5,000 people and get into the ring with someone who could knock his head off,” the Sun quoted Vaughan, as saying.

“OK, it was not a proper, full-on professional bout — four two-minute rounds — but you’ve got to give him a huge amount of credit for the guts that he’s shown,” he added.

“Walking out to bat or down the stairs at Strictly is one thing because, ultimately, you are not going to get hurt. Going into the ring with a heavyweight, I’m sorry, but that takes some guts,” he said.

Vaughan added: “I think he should go back to cricket. He’s as fit as a fiddle. He loves it. He really misses the game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing again.”